Timber Flooring Cleaning and Maintenance

Timber Floors

We recommend our timber floors are maintained on a daily basis using a brush or vacuum cleaner to clear away dust and dirt that may be on the timber surface.

To reduce the wear on a timber floor caused by water, dirt & dust we recommend using a good quality commercial barrier matting at least 2M in length at main entrances to the building. When used correctly, this should eliminate up to 75% of the water & dirt brought into the building.

We recommend using carpet based barrier products as these absorb water and scrape dirt effectively if cleaned on a regular basis. A primary source of premature wear of timber flooring is inadequate barrier matting or lack of cleaning this area.

Lacquered Finished Floors

On a regular basis the floor should be cleaned using a neutral detergent such as Priory Refresh (Priory Jedex for commercial premises). This product should be added to warm water in ratios as stated on the bottles and applied to the floor using a well wrung damp mop.

Commercial areas should use 2 buckets; one with dilute solution and the other with clean water to rinse the mop head once applied as this will ensure the floor is cleaned correctly.

On a periodic basis or if the floor sustains scratches we recommend the floor to be cleaned as mentioned above and the floor be coated over with Priory Protect, a dilute lacquer that can be applied once the floor is clear of dirt and waxy deposits.

Lacquered floors may require after a period of time to be re-sanded. This should be carried out by a specialist hardwood flooring contractor, names of which we can be supplied if required.

Depending on area of use and foot traffic, maintenance schedules may increase or decrease. We are happy to give further advice specific to your requirements.

Oiled Floors

On a regular basis the floor should be cleaned using a neutral detergent with oil additive (Wash Care or similar). As the detergent cleans any dirt residue from the surface, the oil additive feeds the floor to protect the surface, whilst preventing the floor from dulling. Available in clear or white, these products should be added to warm water in dilution ratios as stated on the bottles and applied to the floor area using a well wrung damp mop.

In commercial areas, this product should be applied using 2 buckets; one with dilute soap solution and the other with clean water to rinse the dirty mop head, this ensures easy maintenance.

General

Take care to ensure any objects that are likely to be moved on a frequent basis have felt protection cover to prevent scratching.

In office locations, we would strongly recommend floor protection mats are used where caster chairs are places or the casters to have rubber wheel to again protect the floor. Plastic casters tend to collect grit over time which in turn marks the floor.

Inevitably floors may become scratched or marked, however these can be easily protected using Priory Maintenance Oil. Unlike lacquered floors, this product can be applied to the effected area alone without the need to recoat the whole floor area. If maintained correctly oiled floors need never to be re-sanded.

Unlike a lacquered floor, if an oiled floor is drying out, the effected floor area will lighten indicating the floor requires a further coat of oil. Reapplying the oil can be carried out easily by hand or by using a mechanical polisher.

Data sheets are available on these products by request. Alternatively we can supply names of hardwood flooring specialists if required

Depending on area of use and foot traffic, maintenance schedules may increase or decrease.

Priory Hardwoods have been supplying trouble free timber flooring into commercial areas since 2002 and are happy to call to site to give further advice specific to your requirements if required.

Timber Flooring installation

Deliveries, handling & storage

Flooring must be protected from adverse moisture conditions during transportation and storage. Flooring should be stored flat, and at least 100mm off the ground. During handling avoid dropping packs on their ends as this can damage the tongue and groove joints.

Moisture Content (%MC) in Wood

Wood flooring expands and contracts in direct correlation to the temperature and humidity of the environment it stays in. Solid wood flooring will expand and contract more than engineered flooring.

The table below shows the moisture content of wood flooring at varying °c and relative humidity (RH). Throughout the year, wood flooring can be expected to change moisture content from between 7.6% and 11.1% in a normal residential environment (yellow shaded area in table).

Moisture checks

It is the responsibility of the installation company to ascertain the climate conditions of the site where the flooring is to be installed. The flooring then needs to acclimatise and be at equilibrium with its surroundings before being installed. Therefore, air temperature, relative humidity, and sub-floor moisture content readings should be taken. Sub-floor readings should be taken and logged across various parts of the room(s).

Timber Sub-floors: Flooring should not be installed if it is +/-2%MC more/less than the substrate it is fixing to.

Concrete Sub-floors: For fully gluing to concrete sub-floors the concrete should not be more than 75%RH. Borderline readings will require a separate surface DPM. Special care should be taken on old sub-floors.

Acclimatisation

Wood flooring requires acclimatisation on site (especially solid) prior to installation. It should be stored in the same area as it is to be installed for a period of 10 days prior to installation. If this is not possible on commercial applications, the moisture content of the wood, the relative humidity and temperature of the room into which the flooring is to be installed need to be strictly adhered to.

All wet trades (screeding, plastering, painting) need to be finished, and the humidity levels returned to normal. The climate conditions of this area should be that at which the flooring is expected to perform in, i.e. dry with normal humidity levels (approximately 15.5°c – 26.5°c and 40-60% relative humidity).

Inspection of material

Wood is a natural product and due to the limited size of samples, they cannot be truly representative of the species/grade of the finished floor. It is the responsibility of the installation company to visually check the product prior/during installation. Carefully examine the flooring for grade, colour, finish and quality before installing. If the material is not acceptable, it should not be installed and we should be contacted immediately. We cannot accept liability for any product that has been installed with a visible defect.

Installation – Secret nailing

We recommend that boards should be nailed using a “PortaNailer” or “PowerNailer” tool with 38-50mm cleats. Boards should be nailed 50mm from the end and then every 100-150mm working up the boards. For a detailed “Secret Nailing Installation Data Sheet” please contact the sales office.

Installation – Floating on normal Silent floor Foam underlay

Recommended for our Langdale and Rydal collection engineered flooring ranges. The tongues and grooves are glued together using PVA adhesive, whilst the product remains free floating over the sub-floor. For a detailed “Floating Installation Data Sheet” please contact the sales office.

Cleaning & Maintence Products

Priory Refresh and Protect Products

Priory Refresh has been specifically designed to make the cleaning of wood floors quick and simple. Ideal for use on all types of wood and laminate floors, including pre-finished flooring systems. Also suitable for the use on most types of hard floor surfaces, including vinyl.

No dilution. Product does not need to be diluted, thus eliminating the possibility of over wetting the floor.

Non-smear formulation. Product can be use to wipe away simple spillages, leaving the surface clean and fresh without smear.

Manufacture

Installation

If you need you flooring installed at one or multiple locations, we can provide an experienced installation service taking the stress out of using multiple suppliers.

Delivery

Do you need your floor delivering on a specific date, time and location? Don’t worry, we will make sure you have your product on time.

Treatment

Maintenance of your floor is very important to make sure you keep the quality of finish. With years of experience we can make your floor last longer and looking in fantastic condition.

What people who have worked with us have to say

Just wanted to say a big thank you for providiing a top quality floor. It looks fantastic and our Joiner said it was really easy to fit, so much so that he is going to contact you to purchase some himself.

Ben & Sara Smith

Just wanted to say a big thank you for providiing a top quality floor. It looks fantastic and our Joiner said it was really easy to fit, so much so that he is going to contact you to purchase some himself.

Paul Sharpe

We knew we wanted a high quality hard wood floor but we were not clear on exactly what type, style or construction. The advice we got and the competitive price made Priory the obvious choice.

Craig & Karen Oldroyd

We are delighted with our oak floors. We knew we wanted a natural wood. We had looked in a number of big name stores but didnt really feel they had the knowledge to help us with our decision.